The Great Metabolic Race Lab Report
THE GREAT METABOLIC RACE
INTRODUCTION
During exercise, carbohydrates and lipids are required in order to provide energy for the working body. The inherent reduced nature of these compounds allows for partial or complete oxidation in extracting energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The varying chemical structure of the macromolecules evokes different processes for their complete utilisation. This paper seeks to expound on the mobilisation of these fuels, the biochemical pathways that are used and the amount of ATP yielded with reference to different points during physical exertion, such as a long distance race.
BEGINNING OF RACE
At the inception of the race, effectively 0 minutes, internal energetic laws dictate how products …show more content…
With oxygen present, both sugars and fats can be utilised in the citric acid cycle and eventually oxidative phosphorylation within mitochondria to create ATP. The citric acid cycle (CAC) is the vital pathway by which complete oxidation of both carbohydrate and lipids occur. The initial molecule used here is acetyl-CoA, a three-carbon compound which is created from both pyruvate and glycerol under aerobic conditions. Acetyl-CoA reacts with oxaloacetate to form citric acid, the first product of the cycle. This pathway sees the regeneration of oxaloacetate and the creation of reduced electron carriers of FADH2 and NADH needed in electron transport. The final reaction of the CAC, the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate is endergonic but is coupled to the highly exergonic first step of the CAC, pulling the reaction forward. Oxidative phosphorylation that takes place in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria sees the formation of ATP as oxygen (O2) acts as an electron acceptor. O2 accepts electrons from FADH2 and NADH and a proton gradient is established by the movement of H+ ions into the matrix. This ‘proton motive force’ drives ATP synthase to phosphorylate ADP and ultimately create ATP.
FAT
INTRODUCTION
During exercise, carbohydrates and lipids are required in order to provide energy for the working body. The inherent reduced nature of these compounds allows for partial or complete oxidation in extracting energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The varying chemical structure of the macromolecules evokes different processes for their complete utilisation. This paper seeks to expound on the mobilisation of these fuels, the biochemical pathways that are used and the amount of ATP yielded with reference to different points during physical exertion, such as a long distance race.
BEGINNING OF RACE
At the inception of the race, effectively 0 minutes, internal energetic laws dictate how products …show more content…
With oxygen present, both sugars and fats can be utilised in the citric acid cycle and eventually oxidative phosphorylation within mitochondria to create ATP. The citric acid cycle (CAC) is the vital pathway by which complete oxidation of both carbohydrate and lipids occur. The initial molecule used here is acetyl-CoA, a three-carbon compound which is created from both pyruvate and glycerol under aerobic conditions. Acetyl-CoA reacts with oxaloacetate to form citric acid, the first product of the cycle. This pathway sees the regeneration of oxaloacetate and the creation of reduced electron carriers of FADH2 and NADH needed in electron transport. The final reaction of the CAC, the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate is endergonic but is coupled to the highly exergonic first step of the CAC, pulling the reaction forward. Oxidative phosphorylation that takes place in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria sees the formation of ATP as oxygen (O2) acts as an electron acceptor. O2 accepts electrons from FADH2 and NADH and a proton gradient is established by the movement of H+ ions into the matrix. This ‘proton motive force’ drives ATP synthase to phosphorylate ADP and ultimately create ATP.
FAT